The wee girl goes to a music class once a week. I’ve talked about this class on the blog before. She loves it; she is in her element!
She’s been going since she was about seven months old. The development I have seen in that time is amazing. She’s gone from being one of the youngest in her class, to the oldest, then back to the youngest when she ‘moved up’. She is now in a class with a mix of ages, and while not one of the oldest, is by far the most confident.
The class has definitely been instrumental in developing that confidence, but while watching her at the weekend I realised just how much it had also helped her understanding, language and vocabulary.
The class has a lot of repetition and also incorporates some basic sign language. The first sign she learned was for more, and she has used this in multiple situations ever since. She will still emphasis her requests for more with the hand sign, just to be sure we’ve understood!
She has also been using one more time, again with accompanying sign, for months. She uses this to convince me to play another game, catch another ball, let her watch another episode of Curious George…!
A more useful phrase and sign has been it’s time to clean up, and I use this one…
This week she added I want fast and I want slow to her repertoire. The first activity of class involves all the kids playing instruments (read: banging drums!). The teacher will lead this music noise with either a fast or a slow beat and ask the children to choose. Until this week one of the older boys has always done the choosing; this week he and the wee girl took turns.
This week also saw her decide to use a lollipop drum as a darr (guitar) and a maraca as a mikephone, and stand in the middle of the group singing. Finishing each number with a dramatic bow, and a call of bravo…
Her status as the performer of the class has been confirmed :)
While I suspect that she is going to cost us a fortune in music, dance and singing lessons; I love her confidence. I truly hope that it is something she retains. Watching her language develop, both in this class and out, makes me very proud. It has been a while since I have written a full update post on her vocabulary; I imagine it will be nigh on impossible to do now as she has progressed from single words to complete sentences; but suffice to say that she can now make herself understood to others, not just her parents!
She is funny, engaging and bright. She is a born entertainer.
I will be honest though, it’s very tiring and very trying, she is ‘on’ all day. She never stops. There is no off switch! It might be great fun for everyone for the 40 minutes of music class, but at the end they get to go home…
But, however trying it may be at times, it never fails to raise a smile. And perhaps I have a future star on my hands who can keep me in my old age :)
Sounds like she is getting so much out of it. I meant to do baby sign with both of mind but never got round to it. Love music and singing classes though. They both get so much out of it and I love seeing them take part. Lovely post x
She really has got a lot out of it, it’s a great class and I’m glad that I started taking her to it, it was a little out of my own comfort zone initially x
Isn’t it lovely when they find something that they love – and music is something that all children love. It makes me smile when they’re singing ( out of tune) with the wrong words and dancing (badly) *smiles* but I also understand that you sometimes do need an ‘off’ switch! Lol! You never know, you may have a future star on your hands after all xx
I hope not to be honest, far too much work :) But, I love how much she loves it!
Ahhh bless her she is adorable. Music and signing is such a great combo we do with my the kids too. She sounds like she is doing brilliantly. And who doesn’t love a bit of music (noise)… You may have the next famous singer in the house! Get your buns to hollywood or nashville depending on the genre. hahahahah #PoCoLo.
Ha! She does love it though, lovely to watch x
Ah this is a really lovely read Sara :) It’s so wonderful to have a child like this, no wonder she makes you proud! I think the whole sign language thing is so cute and how fascinating for you to watch her using it of her own accord! x
Thank you Suzanne, she is a character :) And, I love the independent signs x
Ah Bella’s first sign was ‘more’ too and she still sigsn ‘one more biscuit please’ when she wants one! So cute. Sounds like your little one is making the most of the lessons indeed!
x x
Thank you, I love the signs, so sweet :)
Awww she looks so cute here! I remember using a hairbrushes are a mic =)
Congrats that your little girl found the thing that she likes early and if you will have an actress or a singer can I please score free tickets =P
My son is not into this. He sings but only to me or when he is alone, in front of other people? Nah. #loudnproud
Thanks Merlinda x
Aw lovely-sounds like she was born for the stage!I love that she is learning some sign language too-I think all kids should be taught some!It’s such a great language to learn and babies really seem to respond well to it.
She certainly likes to be the centre of attention!
It sounds like the progress she has made in these classes is amazing. I love they also use signs. I wanted to do something like this with Ethan but there was never a class near us that I could get to. It sounds like you do have your handsful, Ethan can keep me on my toes. Now I’m worried what this little girl will bring ;0)
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
It has been amazing, and very interesting to watch her progress. And, yeah, good luck with the girl :)
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